Bluetooth for 330Ci

[DMC]

Illinois just passed the law that a fine will be assessed for those caught talking on their cell phone while driving...headsets are the exception...

I was looking to have the bluetooth installed in my 04 330Ci but I do not have the NAV system. Is it still worth it? It would cost somewhere around $600 to $800 (equipment and installation)....

ordinarily, I would bypass this installation b/c it is costly but the bluetooth headsets on the market are garbage...

pass on your experience with the bluetooth feature...

 

[CaveDweller]

It's not to difficult to DIY this. You can save yoursef hundreds. I've had it for quite a while and it's a grwat feature to have. The only drawback is that everyone in the car hears your conversation unless you manually conver to handset in the call.

It was kind of funny the other day when this happened to me. My buddy was in the car when his wife called me to inform me about his birthday gift and that it was at my house (where we were going). I guess she forgot that we carpool.

 

[drkeng]

First question: when was your car built and if you have BMW Assist. If it was after March 04, you may have BT antenna and module. If not, the install is not too bad if you have Assist (microphone already there). I bought my kit from Autovations and ended up getting the first generation module, but it works great. Can voice dial by number, store names/numbers in the car (separate from the phone) and voice dial by name.

Another issue is what phone and carrier. Apparently Verizon and Moto 710 is touchy. I have Cingular and the Moto RAZRV3.

Also, I think that BMW may actully now officially support BT in 04's, so the dealer may do it.

Overall, if you drive and talk in Chicago, it's probably worth it.

 

[MyHarley]

I have the Verizon V710 with bluetooth ear piece and I dont have any problems even with the top down, which is usually my mode of driving. Some people have reported problems in the past, but it looks like I got a good phone and good service. The only problem I have with the ear piece is it was made for a man's ear and doesnt stay on if I move around a lot or there is a lot of wind it blows off my ear. My Verizon guy is trading it out for a bluetooth ear bud piece so it will be tighter in the wind. I agree I dont like my conversations heard to have bluetooth installed in the car, even someone with a regular cell phone against their ear the other party can usually hear the conversation, but with an ear bud, no one hears anything. I do wish the next invention in technology would be a bracelet with caller ID so I wouldnt have to pick up the phone while driving and see who it is before I answer. Yes, I realize you can just answer by pressing the bluetooth ear piece, but I need to know who is calling first. Well guys, that's my theory for the evening.................

 

[DMC]

drkeng - I have an 04 silver 330Ci. It does not have the assist and it has the microphone... I have been told from Fields BMW its not a problem...is Autovations the way to go instead of the dealership?

 

[drkeng]

Lucky you. I bought at Field's too. I must have asked about BT right before the memo came out or before they could have told me that my module was BT/Assist combo. They showed me the "BMW doesn't approve of this" memo.

Disadvantage of Autovations is that it's the first gen module, although it works fine for me. I spent $500 for the module, pairing button and BT antenna and then about $100 for the install. They don't supply an antenna mounting bracket either. Also, I e-mailed them about that and other questions several times and NEVER got a response. Bimmernav may be another option. What's Fields charging? Was your car built before March 04??

MyHarley: With the BT installed the caller ID is on the radio; if it's a number/name in your phonebook, it displays the name on the radio.

 

[DMC]

not sure when mine was built....i'd look if I can get into my car....see other post "no extra set of keys - Suggestions"...I think its about $450 for the kit plus another 2 or 3 hours of installation...

 

[MyHarley]

MyHarley: With the BT installed the caller ID is on the radio; if it's a number/name in your phonebook, it displays the name on the radio.

I realize that too.......traveling in Asia, they had this service years ago...the problem with a convertible and the sunshine during the day is I cant read the radio display anyways....... [???1]

 

[drkeng]

Just thought of another reason you may need dealer: Cars without Assist may actually need the "recoding" mentioned in several areas. $450 for parts is reasonable. I don't know how much extra work there is since you don't have assist, but do have the microphone. With assist (once we found the module buried behind the radio against the left rear seat), it was about 1-1.5 hrs.

Check out the links to the bluetooth voice manual and instructions I posted in General Car Chat.....Need HELP with Bluetooth thread. The voice control works great, once you learn the "language".

 

[DMC]

Just found out it will cost $650 for the kit plus 1 to 2 hours of labor at $134 an hour. So, I'm lookiing at $1K for bluetooth. Is it worth it?

 

[drkeng]

Sounds like they're overcharching for the module. Bimmernav sells the most up to date one for $355, pairing button, BT antenna shouldn't be more than about $50. Labor rate is probably standard, but ridiculous. Might pay to diy and have the dealer recode if needed. Could call other dealers, try to talk them down to a more palatable amount. Just curious, how do you have the microphone if you don't have assist??